11104316D WHEREAS, Edward E. Purcell, Jr., a devoted American patriot and life member of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, died on January 4, 2011; and WHEREAS, after graduating from St. Anthony's Catholic High School in 1942, Edward Purcell attended Northern Virginia Community College and received his bachelor's degree from George Washington University; and WHEREAS, Edward Purcell proudly served as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1947 and then worked as a cartographer for the federal Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center for 47 years until his retirement in 1989; and WHEREAS, following his retirement, Edward Purcell served on the board of directors and as office manager for PTI Communications in Sterling; and WHEREAS, devoted to his country and committed to his fellow veterans and service members, Edward Purcell remained an active and patriotic member of the American Legion; and WHEREAS, Edward Purcell was a respected life member who served for more than 50 years with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and committed countless hours to protecting his community; and WHEREAS, regarded as a mentor by generations of volunteer and professional firefighters, Edward Purcell is remembered for embodying the responsibility, courage, and discipline needed to face an emergency as well as for building camaraderie; and WHEREAS, a dedicated family man, Edward Purcell was the proud patriarch of his large family and enjoyed spending time with Anne, his wife of 60 years; his six children, Edward, Rita, Anne, Patrick, Daniel, and Michael; and his 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Louis; and WHEREAS, Edward Purcell will be fondly remembered by his many family members, friends, and neighbors and by the brave firefighters whose lives he influenced; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Edward E. Purcell, Jr.; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Edward E. Purcell, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. |